Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest laundromat with workers bent over piles of clothes and a pungent scent of soap mixed with smoke, is still a reality in Mumbai. Thousand of clothes pass through the 700 stone washing platforms every day and are hung on intricate dry lines, in a colourful show that is one of a kind.

The grand, fairy-tale castle-like main building in Timrå was built in 1883–1885 as a summer residence for the timber magnate Fredrik Bünsow, who was one of Sweden's most powerful timber barons at the time. The architects were Isak Gustaf Clason and Fritz Eckert. Clason is known for designing the Nordic Museum and Hallwyl Palace in Stockholm. The beautiful castle (or Villa Merlo, as it is actually called) is now a cultural heritage site and houses Svenska Cellulosa's central archive. In the summer, you can take a guided tour to see the many rooms and halls that still retain their former glory. Even the garden alone is well worth a visit.

The 34,000-hectare Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park has beautiful unspoiled beaches, bird-filled lagoons and mountains plunging into the sea. Buses run to villages and the lively Mojácar. You can also rent a cycle or car to explore the area.